Topic: Norms and Values

Concept:

In general parlance, the term ‘norm’ refers to that which is most common, or that which is ‘normal’.

For sociologists, norm means any shared standard of behaviour which in turn entails certain expectations of
behaviour in a given situation. Norms are social expectations that guide behavior. Norms explain why people do
what they do in given situations.

Types:

Prescriptive—they tell us what they should do.

A prescriptive norm is positive in form and spells out forms of behaviour which role-players are expected to
follow.
Proscriptive—they tell people what they should not do
A proscriptive norm is one which directs a role-player to avoid or abstain from certain type of activity.

Some sociologists see norms as either formal or informal. Formal norms have generally be written down and
involve strict rules for punishment of violators. Laws are an example of formal norm. Informal norms are
generally understood but are not precisely recorded. Standard of proper dress is a common example of informal
norm.

Norms are also classified by their relative importance to society. When classified in this way, they are known as
mores, folkways and customs. Some writers have also included law in the category of norms. This typology is
distinguished by the intensity of feelings they arouse and the consequences that flow from violations of them.

Kingsley Davis (1960) has given an exhaustive list of social norms as under:

1. Folkways

2. Mores

3. Laws (customary and enacted laws)

4. Institutions

5. Custom, morality and religion

6. Conventions and etiquette

7. Fashion and fad

Functions:

1. They direct, regulate and control human behaviour. The process by which norms and other behavioural
regulators are trans-formed into personality elements is called socialisation.

2. They help in satisfying our social needs.

3. They help in establishing social order by mitigating tensions and conflicts in society.

4. They act as measuring scale to evaluate social behaviour.

5. They act as ideals and objectives in certain situations.

6. They help in predicting behaviour.

Values

In sociology, the meaning of value is different from meaning of value in economics or philosophy. For example,
in economics values means price.
Social values form an important part of the culture of the society. Values account for the stability of social
order. They provide the general guidelines for social conduct. Values such as fundamental rights, patriotism,
respect for human dignity, rationality, sacrifice, individuality, equality, democracy etc. guide our behaviour in
many ways. Values are the criteria people use in assessing their daily lives; arrange their priorities and choosing
between alternative course of action.

Defintions

a. G.R. Leslie, R.F. Larson, H.L. Gorman say, “Values are group conceptions of the relative
desirability of things”.

b. According to H.M. Johnson, “Values are general standards and may be regarded as higher order
norms”.

c. Young and Mack write, “Values are assumption, largely unconscious, of what is right and
important”.

Functions of Values:

1. Values provide goals or ends for the members to aim for.

2. Values provide for stabilities and uniformities in group interaction. They hold the society together because
they are shared in common. Some sociologists argue that shared values form the basis for social unity. Since
they share the same values with others, the members of society are likely to see others as “people like
themselves”. They will therefore, have a sense of belonging to a social group. They will feel a part of the wider
society.

3. Values bring legitimacy to the rules that govern specific activities. The rule are accepted as rules and
followed mainly because they embody the values that most people accept. The Americans for example, believe
that the capitalist organization is the best one because it allows people to seek success in life.

4. Values help to bring about some kind of adjustment between different sets of rules. The people seek the same
kinds of ends or goals in different field of their life. Hence, it is possible for them to modify the rules to help the
pursuit of this end.

For example, if the Indian people cherish the value of “the principle of equality”, then they will have to modify
the rules governing the interpersonal relationship of husband and wife; and man and woman. As and when new
activities emerge, people create rules in the light of their beliefs about what is ‘good’ and ‘right’.

Relation between Norms and Values:

Norms and values have salient relation. Norms are specific, values are not. There may be, in a particular
situation, delusion of norms, but values are commanding. Norms are rules for behaving: they say more or less
specifically what should or should not be done by particular types of actors in given circumstances. Values are
standard of desirability that are more nearly independent of specific situations.

The same value may be a point of reference for a great many specific norms; a particular norm may represent
the simultaneous application of several separable values. Thus, the value premise “equality” may enter into
norms for relationships between husband and wife, brother and brother, teacher and student and so on.

On the other hand, the norm “a teacher must not show favouritism in grading” may in particular instance
involve the value of equality, honesty, humanitarianism and several others. Values, as standards (criteria) for
establishing what should be regarded as desirable, provide the grounds for accepting or rejecting particular
norm.

**salient (adjective) most noticeable or important.